Can 2026 seriously move any faster? How is it already May? It’s nuts that time is flying by this fast, but Disney World fans have a lot of reason to be excited about May. There’s a lot of stuff coming to Disney World, and we’re sharing it all with you.

After being worked on for over a year, one of Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions is reopening, and a ride at EPCOT is getting a brand-new overlay for a special celebration. All that, plus more, of what’s to come in May 2026.

May 1st — V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days begins

Hey Disney World Annual Passholders, get ready for your time to shine starting on May 1st. V.I.PASSHOLDER Days will bring TONS of perks to Disney World for Passholders, and it will last through July 31st. These perks include exclusive new Passholder merchandise, increased dining discounts, hotel stay discounts, a special Passholder magnet, and more. Annual Passholders, you’re not going to want to miss out on any of this!

May 3rd — Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens at Magic Kingdom

YEEHAW, this is what we’ve been waiting for! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since January 6th, 2025, as Disney Imagineers began the refurbishment to bring the attraction a whole new look in 2026. Now, on May 3rd, we finally get to see the brand-new version of this ride reopened at Magic Kingdom. This includes new elements, theming, track, and a smooth feel to one of the park’s most beloved attractions. Who’s ready for the wildest ride in the wilderness?!

May 26th — Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opens

You’ll be able to ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets on May 26th!! Are you excited? You should be! One part that’s making me feel like Animal is the new preshow. You can enter the recording studio with your VIP pass, where the Electric Mayhem is working on some new tunes. Their audio engineers, who are penguins, and Scooter are trying to keep the Electric Mayhem in check because they have to get to their concert across town. Will they make it on time?

May 26th — The Magic of Disney Animation Courtyard opens

May 26th is a BIG day for Disney World for a few reasons. The biggest reason is that the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will officially open! The courtyard will be open to explore, and the entire area is going to feature things like Disney Princess meet-and-greets, an Alice in Wonderland playground for kiddos, drawing classes with an Olaf animatronic, and more! We’re on the edge of our seats waiting for this.

May 26th — Soarin’ Across America opens at EPCOT

Another brand-new experience is coming to Disney World on May 26th, and it’s a new version of Soarin’ Around the World, called Soarin’ Across America! This will be a patriotic makeover for the 250th birthday of the U.S.A. Instead of flying to places around the world, we’ll now be flying over different parts of America. Just be aware that in order to make way for the changes, Soarin’ Around the World will close on May 13th, 2026. Also, this won’t be a permanent change.

May 26th — Cool KIDS’ Summer begins

Cool Kids’ Summer is coming back for the kiddos, and it officially kicks off on May 26th! The event is bringing characters and fun activities all throughout Disney World. Some of the stuff kids of all ages (and all of us who are kids at heart) will be able to enjoy include meeting Toy Story characters at Magic Kingdom, checking out GoofyCore at EPCOT’s CommuniCore Hall, a dance party at Disney Springs, and much more!

May 26th — Bluey’s Wild World is debuting at Animal Kingdom

Everyone is going to be humming the Bluey theme as they walk into Disney’s Animal Kingdom on May 26th. For the very first time, Bluey is coming to Disney World, and it’s coming in the form of Bluey’s Wild World. This new area will see Bluey and Bingo take over the Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Families can head over to Bluey’s Wild World on the Wildlife Express Train and play special games directly from Bluey episodes. The area will also feature a meet-and-greet with Bluey and Bingo, as well as a section to discover animals native to Bluey’s home country, Australia, at Jumping Junction!

May 26th — Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! debuts at Hollywood Studios

Lastly, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also be seeing the debut of a brand-new show, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, on May 26th. This live show is inspired by Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, and invites everyone to celebrate with the ultimate party at the Clubhouse. This new experience will be located in the former Disney Jr. Dance Party space at the new Walt Disney Studios area (which we mentioned will open on the same day).

The agents at Small World Vacations know how to save money on your Disney Vacation! When you book your trip with Small World Vacations, their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings. They also compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.

We can’t wait to see all of this at Disney World next month! Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more Disney news you need to know before your next vacation.

All the NEW Rides and Attractions at Disney World in 2026 and Beyond

Do you have plans to come to Disney World in May? Let us know in the comments!